3My dear friends, this is now the second time I've written to you, both letters reminders to hold your minds in a state of undistracted attention.G5026G1208G1992G27G1125G2235G1125G5213G1722G3739G1326G5216G1506G1271G1722G52802Keep in mind what the holy prophets said, and the command of our Master and Savior that was passed on by your apostles.G3415G4487G4280G5259G40G4396G2532G1785G2257G652G2962G2532G49903First off, you need to know that in the last days, mockers are going to have a heyday. Reducing everything to the level of their puny feelings,G1097G5124G4412G3754G2064G1909G2078G2250G1703G4198G2596G846G2398G19394they'll mock, "So what's happened to the promise of his Coming? Our ancestors are dead and buried, and everything's going on just as it has from the first day of creation. Nothing's changed."G2532G3004G4226G2076G1860G846G3952G1063G575G3739G3962G2837G3956G3779G1265G575G746G29375They conveniently forget that long ago all the galaxies and this very planet were brought into existence out of watery chaos by God's word.G1063G5124G846G2309G2990G3754G3056G2316G3772G2258G1597G2532G1093G4921G1537G5204G2532G1223G52046Then God's word brought the chaos back in a flood that destroyed the world.G1223G3739G2889G5119G2626G5204G6227The current galaxies and earth are fuel for the final fire. God is poised, ready to speak his word again, ready to give the signal for the judgment and destruction of the desecrating skeptics.G1161G3772G2532G1093G3568G846G3056G1526G2343G5083G4442G1519G2250G2920G2532G684G765G444
The Day the Sky Will Collapse
8Don't overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day.G1161G27G2990G3361G5209G2990G1520G5124G3754G3391G2250G3844G2962G5613G5507G2094G2532G5507G2094G5613G3391G22509God isn't late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn't want anyone lost. He's giving everyone space and time to change.G2962G1019G3756G1019G1860G5613G5100G2233G1022G235G3114G1519G2248G3361G1014G5100G622G235G3956G5562G1519G334110But when the Day of God's Judgment does come, it will be unannounced, like a thief. The sky will collapse with a thunderous bang, everything disintegrating in a huge conflagration, earth and all its works exposed to the scrutiny of Judgment.G1161G2250G2962G2240G5613G2812G1722G3571G1722G3739G3772G3928G4500G1161G4747G3089G2741G1093G2532G2532G2041G1722G846G261811Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life?G3767G3956G5130G3089G4217G1163G5209G5225G1722G40G391G2532G215012Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival. The galaxies will burn up and the elements melt down that day—G4328G2532G4692G3952G2250G2316G1223G3739G3772G4448G3089G2532G4747G5080G274113but we'll hardly notice. We'll be looking the other way, ready for the promised new heavens and the promised new earth, all landscaped with righteousness.G1161G4328G2596G846G1862G4328G2537G3772G2532G2537G1093G1722G3739G2730G134314So, my dear friends, since this is what you have to look forward to, do your very best to be found living at your best, in purity and peace.G1352G27G4328G5023G4704G2147G846G1722G1515G784G2532G29815Interpret our Master's patient restraint for what it is: salvation. Our good brother Paul, who was given much wisdom in these matters,G2532G2233G3115G2257G2962G4991G2531G2257G27G80G3972G2532G2596G4678G1325G846G1125G521316refers to this in all his letters, and has written you essentially the same thing. Some things Paul writes are difficult to understand. Irresponsible people who don't know what they are talking about twist them every which way. They do it to the rest of the Scriptures, too, destroying themselves as they do it.G5613G2532G1722G3956G1992G2980G1722G846G4012G5130G1722G3739G2076G5100G1425G3739G261G2532G793G4761G5613G2532G3062G1124G4314G846G2398G68417But you, friends, are well-warned. Be on guard lest you lose your footing and get swept off your feet by these lawless and loose-talking teachers.G5210G3767G27G4267G5442G3363G1601G4879G4106G113G1601G2398G474018Grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ. Glory to the Master, now and forever! Yes!G1161G837G1722G5485G2532G1108G2257G2962G2532G4990G2424G5547G846G1391G2532G3568G2532G1519G165G2250G281